Print Control Device Custom Sheet Size Display Logic

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer drivers do not effectively display the size of a sheet set in a printing apparatus, leading to a lack of appropriate representation of the obtained information regarding the sheet size.

Innovation Solution

A print control device and method that includes a storage unit for custom sizes, an obtaining unit to gather information about the sheet size, and a display unit to show either all custom sizes or only the matching size, depending on whether the obtained size matches a standard or custom setting, ensuring accurate and appropriate display of the sheet size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all custom sizes are displayed regardless of match status, then completeness of information is improved, but clarity and user focus deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of size informationVSAvoiduser focus and clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into two distinct groups: matched custom sizes and unmatched custom sizes. This segmentation allows the system to present complete information while organizing it in a way that highlights relevant options (matched sizes) versus alternative options (unmatched sizes), thereby maintaining both completeness and user focus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different visual qualities or emphasis are applied to different portions of the displayed information. Matched custom sizes are presented with higher visibility or indication of compatibility, while unmatched sizes are displayed with lower emphasis. This local differentiation helps users quickly identify suitable options without hiding alternative possibilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If only matched custom sizes are displayed, then user focus and clarity are improved, but completeness of information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser focus and clarityVSAvoidcompleteness of size information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into two distinct groups: matched custom sizes and unmatched custom sizes. This segmentation allows the system to present complete information while organizing it in a way that highlights relevant options (matched sizes) versus alternative options (unmatched sizes), thereby maintaining both completeness and user focus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different visual qualities or emphasis are applied to different portions of the displayed information. Matched custom sizes are presented with higher visibility or indication of compatibility, while unmatched sizes are displayed with lower emphasis. This local differentiation helps users quickly identify suitable options without hiding alternative possibilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom sizes are updated with obtained size information, then adaptability is improved, but loss of original custom settings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to new sheet sizesVSAvoidpreservation of original settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by checking whether the obtained size information already matches an existing custom size before performing the update. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary overwriting of original custom settings while still allowing updates when the new size represents a genuinely new configuration, thus balancing adaptability with preservation of original settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by comparing the obtained size information against the stored custom sizes and only proceeding with updates when appropriate. This feedback mechanism ensures that original custom settings are preserved unless the new information represents a valid new size configuration, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11709641B2Print control device, print control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 CANON KK

AI summary

To provide a print control device, print control method, and storage medium with which, in a form where information related to the size of a sheet which is set in a printing apparatus is obtained and the size corresponding to the obtained information is displayed, the size corresponding to the obtained information is displayed more appropriately, in a case where the size corresponding to the information obtained by an obtaining unit matches any of multiple custom sizes corresponding to information stored by a storage unit before the information is obtained by the obtaining unit, all of the multiple custom sizes corresponding to the information stored by the storage unit before the information is obtained by the obtaining unit are displayed.